A cold, the flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference?
A cold, the flu or COVID-19: What’s the difference? If you believe you have symptoms and might be infected with COVID-19, it’s best to be safe and get tested.
What to Expect Returning to Work
When you go back to work, things won’t feel the same. That’s OK. To keep you safe, your employer is likely to require a number of measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect you, your co-workers and everyone you come in contact with.
Remember that each layer of protection fortifies the wall you’re building against COVID-19, so don’t take just one step. Take them all.
Employee screening: You may be asked to take your temperature at home, or you’ll be screened for fever when you arrive at your workplace.
Handwashing: You’ve probably seen signs in workplace bathrooms reminding you to wash your hands thoroughly. Expect to see more. Handwashing is the first and most effective step in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Masks: You may be infected with COVID-19 and not know it. Masks help prevent those around you from getting sick. It may feel weird or inconvenient to wear one, but doing so is a simple act of kindness and care.
Social distancing: So long, water cooler conversations and group lunch breaks. Expect to see more distance between your desks and tape on the floor marking 6 feet of distance in gathering areas. Large meetings are likely to be virtual, and breaks may be staggered. Those who can work from home may remain there to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep those at work safer.
Cleaning and disinfecting: The CDC’s guidance to cleaning and disinfecting during COVID-19 calls for the increased routine cleaning of surfaces and objects such as light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards and toilets. Expect to see more frequent cleaning, and pitch in where you can. Also, apply these cleaning standards to the items you touch all the time, such as your phone, ear buds or water bottles.
Changes Your Employer May Be Making
Your employer should provide the following supplies to maintain a safe environment:
- Tissues
- No-touch trash cans
- Hand soap
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer at main points of entry/exit or when hand soap and water is not available
- Disposable towels
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Disinfecting wipes, cleaners or sprays
Before You Go to Work
Report to work only if you can confirm:
- No fever
- No symptoms
- No known exposure
Screening, Symptoms and Testing
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If you are experiencing symptoms
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If you have been exposed to COVID-19
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Testing for COVID-19
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Who should be tested for COVID-19
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When can you return to work if you are tested or have symptoms
Download Our Return to Work Guides
We’ve created these downloadable PDF versions of our guides for employees and employers to serve as a reference you can distribute within your organization as you plan your return to work.
Download the Co-Branded Employee Guide: If you would like to customize our employee guide for your organization, we’ve created a PowerPoint template where you can add your organization’s logo and include a custom introduction letter. To ensure the links within this document work, please save and send as a PDF.
